Tribune’s WGN America is officially an original scripted programming player. Two months after Matt Cherniss was named president and general manager of WGN and indicated he would be looking for a scripted series to define WGN, the superstation has greenlighted its first original scripted series, drama Salem. The project, from Star Trek and 24 alum Brannon Braga, Adam Simon (The Haunting In Connecticut) and Fox21, has received a straight-to-series 13-episode order and is slated to begin production in the fall for a 2014 premiere.

Salem, originally developed for FX, is set in the volatile world of 17th century Massachusetts and explores what really fueled the town’s infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. The show, which centers on an epic romance, is said to deliver a new vision of witches who are real though they are not who or what they seem. Braga and Simon created the series and will serve as executive producers alongside Prospect Park’s Josh Barry and Jeff Kwatinetz. “Brannon and Adam have an amazing vision for the world and characters that comprise Salem, Massachusetts during the witch trials and we believe that a great adventure full of supernatural, romance, and action awaits the viewer,” Cherniss said.

Salem (then Malice) was originally sold to FX last summer. Then came the setting for American Horror Story: Coven, with the third installment of the hit FX series revolving around witches. I hear, with FX’s blessing, Fox21 president Bert Salke took the project to WGN, which embraced it. Salem reunites 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman with Cherniss and Tribune CEO Peter Liguori, who worked together when Liguori and Cherniss were at Fox. “As WGN America launches its strategy of programming distinctive original content, Salem is the perfect vehicle, and Gary, Dana, Bert and everyone at 20th with whom we have worked in the past is the perfect studio for us to begin this journey,” Liguori said. Added Newman and Walden, “Our studio has had a long and successful relationship with Peter and Matt, so we are thrilled to be back in business with them on this fantastic new project.” Salem is expected to kick off an aggressive expansion of WGN’s programming slate.

16 Comments

Should be a fantastic series. Brannon never goes wrong, and Adam is a brilliant writer (and director) often under-appreciated because he’s so darn good at genre work. Way to go guys!

hah! • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

“Brannon never goes wrong”?

I guess you missed Voyager. Oh, and Enterprise which suddenty got a lot better when they turned that limping mess over to Manny Coto.

But as for this show, hey, at least it has a historical setting. I was disappointed that Sleepy Hollow went the easy, modern-day route.

Time to retire, Braga. • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Haha are you even serious right now? Everything Braga has touched for the last twenty years he has poisoned. I’m serious. Look at his credits on IMDB–what do you see? Terra Nova. FlashForward. 24 seasons 7 & 8, how many fans enjoy those two? Yeah, exactly. Enterprise and Voyager, neither are that highly regarded by Trek fans, the former much less than the latter. That’s the show that killed Star Trek on television, and it’s the one he CREATED. Let’s see what else . . . Threshold? Cancelled after thirteen episodes.

Hiring this guy is the kiss of death for the quality of your show. Star Trek, sci fi, and “genre” fans know this, and you can hear the collective groan every time it’s announced he’s involved with a project that has an otherwise intriguing premise. No need to even watch the pilot in hope it will be executed well–it won’t be. And yet somehow he keeps getting jobs. It’s like no one is paying attention.

Anonymous • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Is that you Roman?….from Party Down?……it is isn’t it? Thats some awesome agreived spleen you’ve just vented…it’s gotta be Roman…

Me • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Cool concept, I’ll check it out

trevor1 • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Had the pleasure of reading this pilot script by Mr. Braga. It was fantastic. The spellcasting scenes are bloody, surrealistic and riveting. This is going to be a huge, huge hit. Congrats to Mr. Braga.

star jonestown • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

This comment is bizarre. You must be a plant/paid to do this, or you literally have no taste whatsoever.

Cardinal Red • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Maybe the Cubs can use some of that witchcraft to scare up a win…

Eye-Fi • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Guess no one’s checked Braga’s IMDB page. Not exactly hit laden.

John Whorfin • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Ugh. Braga. [Shudder.] Spare us.

josh mayers • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

This is a very original and interesting concept, will be a fantastic series, and Adam Simon is an amazing Director and Writer – sure to be a big success! Well done WGN!

David Hyman • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

This era in American lore certainly holds mass appeal and offers huge potential for success. Adam Simon’s writing talent and experience with the genre is a definite plus. Looking forward to an entertaining series with unique perspectives. Unlike the Cubs, WGN should hit this out of the park!

Joel • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

I liked Voyager and Enterprise. And Simon has all the genre chops to make Salem work no matter what.

I have Comcast and live in the Chicago area. I have lived in three different locations and have had Comcast each time. I have never seen WGN America, because we get the local station WGN, a CW affiliate.

I hope that the management over at WGN does a rebroadcast on WGN, otherwise they are losing a large portion of the nations third largest television market.

Kim • on Jun 4, 2013 12:43 pm

Congratulations, Brannon! I’m sure there are no bucking bulls, but it sounds JUST as cool without ’em. I am looking forward to it.